Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]
Original Articles
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Cal/OSHA Seeks Huge Penalties in Refinery Explosion
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited ExxonMobil Refining for 19 alleged violations following an investigation into the February 18 explosion at the company’s Torrance refinery. The incident only slightly injured four workers, but investigators concluded that management had been aware of hazardous conditions at the unit in question, yet took no steps […]
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Standards Board Finally Gets Seats Filled
Gov. Jerry Brown has reappointed four current members of the Cal/OSH Standards Board and named two new members to Cal/OSHA’s rulemaking body. The appointments are being said to provide both stability and new faces to the board. The newly appointed members are Robert Blink, 62, of San Francisco, and John Sacco, 60, of Rocklin. Both […]
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Short Window to Comment on Heat Illness Guidance
Do you have questions about Cal/OSHA’s new revisions to the heat illness prevention regulation? Do you want the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to address your ideas and concerns in its updated guidance document on the regulation? You have to act fast – before Friday, March 6 if you want to weigh in. DOSH […]
Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web
News Digest 5-13-2021
Farming is among the most dangerous occupations in the US, and dairy farming presents even more hazards than crop farming due to animals, feed and on-farm chemicals that are handled daily. Fed-OSHA has identified the top 12 safety concerns on dairies, which the agency calls the “dairy dozen.” Dairy Herd
IOSHA cites employer after man’s crush death in crane incident
A 53-year-old man was crushed in a November 2020 accident at an Anderson, Indiana company more than seven months after safety deficiencies were found with a crane he was operating at the time of the accident. The incident also injured another employee. Herald Bulletin
9,000 employees sick as COVID overwhelms Arkansas workplaces
A new analysis of COVID-19 cases at workplaces in Arkansas is highlighting one particular poultry processor as a significant source of outbreaks over the past year. Few Arkansas employees complained to Fed-OSHA, however; only eight of 106 COVID complaints to Fed-OSHA involved Arkansas poultry factories. 4029TV
Massachusetts health boards overwhelmed during pandemic
During the pandemic, Massachusetts’ 351 local boards of health, some staffed with only one or two people, have been unwittingly thrust into a new role as overseers of workplace safety. The challenge may have contributed to at least one chairman’s heart attack and highlighted the fragility of the workplace safety landscape in Massachusetts, and the crisis illustrates the perils caused by Fed-OSHA’s retreat from its duties in recent years. WBUR (Boston)
Working to an early grave: Mortality in South Dakota
In South Dakota, 20 employees were killed on the job in in 2019, according to a report released by the South Dakota Federation of Labor, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. KELO
Michigan Republicans create website for complaints about pandemic workplace rules
Some Michigan House Republicans are concerned proposed COVID-19 standards for workplaces contain language that would allow guidelines to be extended without any emergency declaration in place. The proposed workplace rules cover mandates like mask requirements, social distancing, proper ventilation and other COVID-19 safety measures. Holland Sentinel